Which factors influence the selection of right-of-way (ROW) width for a highway corridor?

Introduction / Context:
The right-of-way (ROW) is the total land strip acquired for a highway. Deciding its width has major implications for cost, safety, future widening, utilities, and environmental buffers. Understanding the drivers behind ROW sizing is vital in early planning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• ROW must encompass formation, carriageway, shoulders, side slopes, drains, utilities, and provision for future expansion.
• We consider typical practice in open/rural and urban settings.

Concept / Approach:
ROW width is not only a function of current pavement needs but also of classification (arterial vs. district road), terrain, drainage, safety clear zones, and economic feasibility. Budgetary limits and staged development plans also guide the chosen corridor width.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify physical cross-section needs: formation width, shoulders/berms, drains.Incorporate functional class: higher classes require larger ROW for lanes, medians, and service roads.Account for finances and future widening, setting an economically feasible yet forward-looking width.

Verification / Alternative check:
Master plans typically provide standard ROW bands for each class (e.g., NH/SH wider than MDR/ODR), adjustable for local constraints and projected demand, confirming that all listed factors play a role.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Any single factor alone is insufficient. Comprehensive ROW decisions balance geometric, functional, and fiscal considerations together.

Common Pitfalls:

• Equating carriageway width with ROW.
• Ignoring space for utilities, landscaping, and safety clear zones.

Final Answer:
All of the above